Hypochondriac syndrome..the early years

Hypochondriac syndrome..the early years

hy·po·chon·dri·ac

noun: hypochondriac; plural noun: hypochondriacs

1. 1.

   a person who is abnormally anxious about their health.

Happpppy Friday everyone!!!!

I don't know if I ever told you this, but as a child I was a HUGE hypochondriac. Between the ages of 5 and 15, I had everything from Anthrax to Scarlet fever, the measles to Tetanus (yes, I thought you could get tetanus). The smallest ailment--a sore throat, a cut on my finger, gas--would turn into a life threatening disease inside of my head. I would crawl around the house on my hands and knees, crying that I needed to go to the doctor. I don't know if it was a cry for attention or I seriously thought that I had somehow managed to come down with all of these illnesses (and then some).

The school nurse and I became best friends in elementary school. I had a headache, let's go to the nurse. Jammed my finger in gym class? I think I should see the nurse. My eye feels like it is twitching, maybe the nurse can fix it! It got so bad that my mom eventually told the nurse that unless I was bleeding out of my eyes to never call her at work again. Aside from constant strep throat, I was never really sick as a child, (The strep actually got so bad that I had to get my tonsils out when I was 13) so maybe that had something to do with it. Either was, I was a drama queen with a capital D.

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Fast forward years later..I was 21 or 22 and I noticed a lump on the side of my neck. The 10 year old me would have been at the doctor that afternoon, claiming to have contracted malaria from the bird on my windowsill (seriously, I was that dramatic), but instead I assumed it was a swollen gland and left it alone. A few weeks later it had tripled in size and was about the size of a golf ball. It hurt to swallow, it hurt to touch my neck, and turning my head was out of the question. And let me tell you a secret. I was scared to death. As a kid, all of my made up ailments never really scared me because they were just that, made up. But this was actually a lump on the side of my neck--you could see it and feel it--and I wanted nothing to do with the doctor. Eventually my mother persuaded me to go, and after 10 minutes in the office I was told to go immediately for an MRI. OMG I was freaking out! I could not believe that after all the years of fake sickness, after all the unnecessary trips to the ER--this is the time I choose to stay away from the Dr. I was literally kicking myself the whole way to the hospital.

Luckily, after a biopsy, several scans and a camera jammed up my nose and down my throat (OMG I don't wish that on my worst enemy...it was AWFUL!) the Dr found out that it was just an infected lymph node and I would be perfectly fine. 2 rounds of antibiotics later and I was back to normal.

Lessons learned:
1. The story about the boy who cried wolf is the best story to tell your kids..seriously
2. If a lump develops on your neck and doubles in size within a few days, go to the Dr.
3. When a Dr shoves a camera up your nose and down your throat, then simultaneously sticks a 7 inch needle into your neck, you will gag. And cry.
4. I am no longer a hypochondriac

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I hope everyone had a wonderful week!!! Hopefully the weather this weekend will be BEAUTIFUL so we can finish working outside and maybe enjoy the pool!!!

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Just call me Nicole Curtis

Just call me Nicole Curtis

Ok, so if you have been following along to my blog, you know how much of a DIY Network/HGTV freak I am. The hubby and I could literally sit in front of the TV for hours and get lost in "House Hunters" or "Rehab Addict." (And when I say we 'could' get lost for hours, I mean that we have seriously sat in front of the TV for hours on several occasions). Every time we watch Rehab Addict, the following thoughts run through my head:

1. OMG that house is amazing
2. The tool looks like SO much fun to use (Exhibit A--After watching an episode one night, I left my house, drove to Lowe's and bought a power washer...true story)
3. Nicole Curtis is too hot to be using power tools:

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 Well ladies, I am officially part of the power-tool-using-chick club. (There's gotta be a club out there somewhere, right?) Over the past few weeks we have been working on projects for our Rustic Guest Room. So far we have completed the headboard, side table, 1 string art sign and 2 hanging bottle-art pieces (Next on the list is another string art sign, a few shelves and possibly a dresser/shelf). And of course, in keeping with the rustic/DIY theme, everything is made out of pallet wood. In case you have never built something out of pallet wood before, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. It is a LONG process! First, the pallets have to be cut down to size. Next, you have to sand the hell out of each board because lets face it, no matter how rustic you want your headboard to look, splinters suck. After everything is sanded comes the task of assembling. Before I started I was thinking "Oh piece of cake, just throw some nails and screws in and I'll be good to go." Nope, not the case. Another thing that you should know about pallet wood is that it splits. Too close to the edge? Split. Knot in the wood? Split. Luckily, my patience is pretty good when it comes to crafting, so I didn't let it get to me. After assembly comes stain, which by the way is no joke. It will stain your hands for days!

The reason for me describing every little detail about our projects is that I had NO idea how much work went into it, and the "fun" power tools that I described above are not exactly as fun as I had thought! I have never really been one to pick up a power tool and try it out. I've used the basics---drill, hand saw, hedge trimmers---but I've never had the chance to use a 'real' power tool. Well let me tell you, now I feel like a seasoned pro! To take apart the pallets, I used a nifty little jigsaw. To sand the wood down I used an electric sander, and to get those pretty angled edges on the headboard I got to use a mitre saw (which I kept calling a circle saw...same difference, right?). And guess what? I looked nothing like Nicole Curtis. I was sweaty, my lines were far from straight, and I had sawdust in crevices that I didn't know I had. My hands were vibrating like crazy from the jigsaw, I sanded my finger twice with the sander, and the mitre box is officially the loudest and scariest tool ever. I swore I was going to lose a finger every time I turned the damn thing on. But you now what? I did it! I stepped outside of my comfort zone (and by comfort zone I mean scissors and a hammer) and I'm still alive to tell the tale! Hey Nicole, looking for a sidekick?!

Here are some pictures of the progress so far. Once everything is completed I will take some pictures of the finished room, but for now you will have to settle for these less-than-pinterest-worthy shots.

 

String art sign numero uno

 Headboard completed!

And here is a picture of the mitre saw that I was using. Seriously, that blade is no joke! 

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I hope everyone is having a fabulous week! And i apologize for the lack of nice pictures, after sitting on the ground hammering and sanding for 3 hours my phone isn't really in a picture taking mood. And by my phone I mean me.


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The worst fashion blogger in the world

Worst Fashion Blogger Ever

Ok so I know I haven't posted an outfit in forever, and I am the worst fashion blogger ever!! But let me explain...

1. The weather here has been absolutely ridiculous. Between 26 inches of rain and gross humid overcast, I have been leaving the house in less than blog-worthy attire. It is supposed to be in the high 80's this week so I may actually get dressed in normal clothes!

2. For the past week, we have been draining, scrubbing and filling our pool. I almost considered taking a picture last week to show you all how nasty it was, but then quickly decided that it was entirely too green. So instead we decided to empty it, pouring another 10 inches of water in our backyard. I'm sure you can imagine the outfits I was wearing to scrub the pool....

3. I have been hard-core working on my rustic room decor!! The headboard is finished (designed, assembled, stained and ready to go!), 2 random glass-bottle signs are done and the 1st of 2 string art projects is nearing the end. I have been a busy bee...a busy bee in sweatpants and a tee-shirt...neither of which are acceptable outfits.

So you see, I have several reasons why I have been the worst fashion blogger in the world as of late. But I swear I will change that!!!

In other happenings, this weekend I finally got to see "The Other Woman" with the hubs! I have been waiting to see that movie for like 3 months!! I LOVE me a good chick flick, and lucky for me, the hubby is amazing and enjoys them right along with me!! The movie was awesome--Leslie Mann is hilarious and perfectly portrays what happens after you get married and get comfortable with your husband. Throw in Cameron Diaz (with her fantastic wardrobe) and Kate Upton's boobs and you have yourself a great movie!

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Speaking of movies, while watching the previews for "The Other Woman" we saw the trailer for "The Fault in Our Stars." OMG seriously I have to read the book ASAP! I have been meaning to read it, mainly because I am super excited for the movie to come out and also because I am a huge book nerd, but now its crunch time! The movie comes out in like a month, and I have yet to pick up the book!! I am really weird about that--if there is a movie coming out that I am dying to see, and it is based on a book, I will always read the book first, then compare it to the movie (its no comparison, the book ALWAYS wins). I am also such a sucker for a sappy book, so this one is on the top of my list!

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Not much else going on around here. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!!

Link Ups:
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The first time I saw him

The first time I saw him

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In honor of Throwback Thursday, today I am going to tell you the story about the first time I laid eyes on my husband. It was the 1st week of November, 2009. I had just moved to Florida a few months before, and I was working at a large call center. A new hire class had just hit the floor and needed to partner up with the agents already working on the floor. My boss at the time, we'll call him "D," comes over and announces that his cousin will be sitting with me to learn the ropes. I was so excited---my boss thought I was good enough to train his cousin! Turns out, I was picked because "D" wanted to make sure his cousin sat with someone hot (his words, not mine), and it had nothing to do with my phone skills. Either way, a few minutes later was the beginning of my new forever...

He walked over, tall and broad with his not-so-southern accent, and took a seat next to me. There was something about him that made me trip over my words and threw me off track...it was one of those moments where the words get caught in your throat and you end up choking out something ridiculous like "So, you're D's cousin, sucks for you." He sat down beside me in his striped button up and OH.MY.GOD he smelled amazing. Ok, you know how when you walk through a mall or down the street and all of the sudden you stop dead because someone smelled SO amazing that you want to take it all in?? Well that's how he smelled. I was trying to strategically move as close to him as possible without being the weird creepy girl who smells people she just meets. He listened carefully as I nervously chattered away on the phone, completely aware of how close we were. Between calls we filled the silence with small talk--Where are you from? What did you do before this? Sisters or brothers? (Kentucky, Floor Installation & 5, for those who were wondering). He had an incredible smile and an infectious laugh, and between the nervousness & insane attraction, I found myself completely absorbed in his presence. The day passed quicker than I would have liked, and as fast as he had come into my life, he was suddenly gone. I watched him walk away from my desk and throw one last glance my way before heading back to his training room.

In the 2 hours or so that he sat with me, I learned the following things:

1. He had a long-term girlfriend---For some reason when I found this out, I was secretly crushed. I should mention that I had a long term boyfriend at the time, so I had zero reason to be crushed, but like I said, there was just something about him.

2. He was also the cousin of 2 girls on my team---While listening in to my calls, 2 of the girls I had trained with were talking over the aisle to the hubby. I came to find out that they were also his cousins, and I instantly regretted not attending the Halloween party thrown by one of the girls a week before!

3. His voice could make you crumble---As I mentioned, I had just moved from Philadelphia a few months prior. I was finally getting used to the Southern drawl of my new town, but his voice and accent were something completely new to me! A sweet serenade blended perfectly with a rugged edge, his voice was one of the first things that drew me to him.

4. His eyes were amazing---When you first meet someone, you want to look them in the eyes to show that you are genuinely paying attention. He could have been speaking German for all I knew--his light green eyes sparkled and pierced right through me...I literally couldn't look away.

OMG those eyes!!!

5. I didn't want him to leave---As our training session drew to an end and he had to return to his team, I found myself upset that he had to leave. The country boy who had sat with me for a mere 2 hours was leaving. What if I never saw him again? What if he didn't like the job and quit tomorrow? What had this boy done to me!!?!

As luck would have it, Steven stayed with the company, and I saw him again the next day. His training class hit the floor and I found myself taking the long way out of the building more and more, just to stop at his desk. Our friendship grew closer every day, and I think we both knew deep down that our current relationships were never going to work out. Together as friends we celebrated our promotions, mourned the loss of our pets and secretly cheered at the demise of the others current relationship. After 15 months there was no more denying our feelings, and on February 18th, 2011 we shared the first of a millions kisses.

When I think back on these first few moments, I can picture it like it was yesterday, and I still get butterflies and whenever I reminisce. I guess meeting your soul mate has that kind of effect on you!
  




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Blank thoughts

Blank thoughts

Today's post is the result of complete writer's block combined with a post I found while perusing through some blogs...So here are some blank thoughts and facts about me!

I’m weird because…
I drink ice in my milk
I eat jelly on my grilled cheese
I get up to pee at least twice every night before I can fall asleep
I turn the tab on my soda can around, and have been doing it since 7th grade
I turn my car radio volume to 10 before turning the car off
I love the smell of baby throw up
I sleep with a minimum of 3 blankets every night..and my hubby HATES it
I will not walk around barefoot inside the house, ever
I love the taste of pickle juice, but hate the actual pickle..solution? Pickle kisses from the hubby

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I’m a bad friend because…
I haven't seen my best friend in over a year
Sometimes I go weeks without calling her
I spend 97% of the time complaining to her about my jacked up uterus

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I’m a good friend because…
I have been down to her house THREE times since we moved..uno, dos, tres! And she has not seen my house yet (And I know that she is reading this right now so I figured it was necessary to rub it in)

I’m sad because…
Boots and skinnies are not acceptable summer attire
The Walking Dead is still 6 months away
There are still 2 baskets of laundry in my room that need to be put up
There is no Taco Bell close to my work
Some of our family still lives WAY too far away from us

I’m happy because…
I have the best husband in the world..who is willing to jump in the nasty green pool to pull the plug and drain it
I am an aunt to 8 of the most darling nieces and nephews
Soon I get to pull my bikinis out of the back of my drawer
My "Rustic Guest Room" crafting projects are turning out amazing!! (Pictures to come in a few weeks when everything is finished)

I’m excited for…
Our cruise in a few months
Finally opening our pool back up
The beach
Midnight swimming
Paranormal Activity 6!! (Seriously, I am hooked on those movies)

So there you have it..a mini mind-dump/randomness about me.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!! Hump Day!!!!!!!